Bob's Spring Update - 2011

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Hi friends,
     Can you believe that it's been two years since "you know what shall remain nameless" happened? And it just goes to show you . . . life goes on. And so do we! Who knew that a stroke could be so physically disabling? And yet, Bob and I  feel blessed with each passing day and the time we have together. Somehow, we've adjusted to our new normal and we tell each other every night before we go to sleep, "life is good".
     Occasionally, folks will ask me, how do you do it? How do I do take care of Bob? Well, I love him. And when you really love, love knows no bounds and you just do what you have to do. And so we do just that. No big deal. And in some ways, I look at it as a gift to be blessed with helping Bob. Besides, I can't bear to think of the alternative. And every day, he lets me know that he loves me.
     There are a few things that we miss doing but we try not to think about them because it just doesn't do any good. It's much more fun to look for opportunities to enjoy what we can.  And so we do. Like sitting in the sun. Admiring the flowers as they come up. Taking small trips. Playing with Toddi. Hanging with our family. Seeing a good movie. Being together.

Happy Spring! Enjoy life!

Love,

Sharon, the love of Bob's Life (and vice versa)
  

A Year of Thanks!

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Dear Friends and Family,
Like so many of you, Bob and I are getting into the holiday season. We've started decorating the yard (can someone help me with lights?) and the house although the tree isn't up yet. Bob is happy that I'm home with him and I'm happy to hang out with him so that I not worrying about him as much. Every day is a miracle and I feel blessed that he's with me and we're adjusting to our new normal. Recovery will be a life-long process and I'm thankful every day for the little miracles that we see happening every day. He can blow kisses to me now (think about how many muscles and neurons that takes to sequence in your brain) and hand signal for me to come to him (full fingers or just the "come here" signal. He put a 300 piece puzzle together in an hour. Bob:

• Starts his day by walking downstairs (and upstairs) without my assistance
• Makes hot chocolate, pours a glass of juice, and gets the LA Times by himself so that I get to sleep in
• Reads the paper-sports section first (he says he's able to understand about 75-85% now-a HUGE improvement)
• Tells me my breakfasts and dinners are "delicious (but my lunches "need some work", to which I respond, "at least you get lunch")
• Stacks his dirty dirty dishes and helps me fold laundry
• Works so hard in his speech therapy. Last night he told me that "it's tough not to be able to talk". His speech therapists, Britney and Breeanne, are just wonderful with him. He actually has full-on conversations with them! I love the University of Redlands Truesdail Center! 
• Talks to me as best he can - and somehow, we have wonderful conversations. (Maybe it's a lifetime of speaking broken English with my mother.)
• Never complains or gripes about his situation - he just does what he needs to do and is so sweet and kind. 
• Still works at walking--although the cold weather is hard on him.
• Tries not to complain about my driving. I really have been working on improving, too.

Our fall has been taken up with speech therapy and exercising at the Drayson Center, but in October, we saw a number of friends, Roger, Sandra, Ann, Chris, Russ, Kathy and Hank, Bryan and Denis. In early November, we spent a week in Palm Desert visiting Bob's sister and brother (they're in the photos). We're so thankful for all of our family and friends who have made life oh so bearable over the past year. Thank you for loving us! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Warmest regards,

Sharon - just Sharon . . . (The Love of Bob's Life)

Happy Fall!

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Bob and Sharon's Summer So Far!

Our First Out of State Trip!

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Dear Friends,
I know! It's been forever since I've updated the Bob blog so I have lots to tell. First, my retirement from 30 years in public education became official on July 2, whoo-hoo, and I've enjoyed every minute home. Bob and I are together now so that I don't worry as much.
     So what's happened since our last post? Well, here goes:

Living the Dream!

• Bob was discharged from 1 year and 3 months of therapy at Loma Linda and Shadi went home after spending the school year to work with Bob at home. He'll return for "tune-ups" but the name of the game now is home therapy. 
• Bob started his personalized workout circuit designed by PT Summer. We go to the LLUMC Drayson Center several times a week where Bob uses the recumbent bikes and machines to strengthen his leg and arm, walks laps in the pool (without his cane), and we walk the hills and dales of our neighborhood (when it isn't scorchingly hot). 
• Cathy, Bob's daughter, came home for Father's Day and we went to the Kimberly-Crest Mansion for brunch and a garden walk.
• We've started taking weekly field trips. So far, we've gone to the movies, to the Music Center to see South Pacific, San Clemente, Dos Lagos Mall, and San Manuel Casino to test Bob's gambling skills (after tutoring from ex-student Kirk and Terri Taco). Bob won $152 playing 21. Whew! It's quite a show with my three senior citizens in tow. HA!
• We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. The years have flown! 
• Last week, we flew to Oregon to visit the "out-laws". Our first "big trip" was a success--no mishaps. There, we hiked Lithia Park, went to The Lake of Woods resort where we "camped" and communed with nature and Terri Taco and Buck. Bob said the highlight was "driving the boat". 

Bob & Cathy - Happy Father's Day!



Happy Landing!

• 
  
• We recognize that Bob's recovery is our life's and we're grateful for every day. We celebrate every little miracle and I'm learning to live for the moment--in the now. I continue to be in awe of Bob and his commitment to recovery. I marvel at his patience, goodwill, positive attitude, and kindness in spite of his injuries. Walking requires major energy and effort and talking is still hard but somehow we communicate. I just love, love, love him!

Well, I think that's enough for today. I'll try to do better in keeping you posted of Bob's progress. Take care and keep those prayers and good thoughts coming our way. We need and appreciate them.

Love,
Sharon

Bob's Relay for Life!

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Support Bob in the Relay for Life!

Dear Friends and Family,  

     On Saturday, May 1, 2010, Bob and I are taking part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®, to celebrate the one-year milestone of Bob’s stroke recovery. We are also walking in honor of our brother in-law, Jeff Hinkley, a cancer survivor whose passion for life, unconditional love, and daily support has been a huge force in Bob’s recovery.

     We’re walking with Team ESS (my work team) and we’re hoping you will help us raise $1000 (or at least $500 each). Bob has been training at the Loma Linda Rehab Center and we plan to beat his personal best of 18 minutes. Whew!  We’d love to have you watch and cheer Bob on if you have time, but if you don’t, just donate money! Here’s the link to Bob’s personal donation page:   http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10CA?px=15524387&pg=personal&fr_id=20534

Every step is one more step towards Bob’s full recovery and we’re helping others as well. We’re so grateful for all of your love and support. Please visit Bob’s personal web page to make a secure, tax-deductible online donation. Every dollar matters! 

Thank you in advance for your donation and we will keep you updated on our progress. We love you!

Warmly,

Sharon and Bob

Bob and Sharon's Spring Break!

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Dear Friends and Family,
Boo-hoo! Spring break is over! Although we didn't go anywhere exotic, I took the week off and had a wonderful time just being with the Bob. I got to witness Bob's miraculous recovery in progress at Loma Linda Outpatient Rehab and my, oh, my, he and this angel therapists are truly something to watch in action. Here are Bob's latest miracles:

• Treadmill walking 17 minutes @ 2.3-2.5 mph
• Relearning how to do Sudoku (which he used to do everyday B.S.)
• Bench pressing his cane @ 2 sets of 20 with minimal assistance barely touching his right elbow)
• Shaking hands with everyone - lots of practice with activating his right arm and hand
• Missing only 4 on the Boston Naming Test (he had to name items with minimal cueing and Cynthia said that she was supposed to stop when he missed 6 but he never got past 4) and they were uncommon things. He was a man on fire in speech and Cynthia said he did "impressively very well". 
• Getting his weekly Friday massage from newest angel, massage therapist, Irene 

It was so beautiful so we got to have sun time at the park where we ate frozen yogurt and read his novel aloud together. I go back to work and will miss him but it's almost June! Retirement is scary - I can't imagine not going to work every day but I am so looking forward to focusing on Bob's recovery. 


That's it for now! Take care and much love,


Sharon   (Bob's biggest fan)